Own goal ... or own-goal?

[buckweaver]

As a noun, which is it? Can't find it anywhere.

Beckham's free kick resulted in an own-goal that gave England a 1-0 win.
OR
Beckham's free kick resulted in an own goal that gave England a 1-0 win.

Can we come to a consensus, soccer lovers/haters?

 

[spnited]

Funny...AP had own-goal in the agate and own goal in the story.

Of course, a month from now 99% of Americans won't give a shirt, so why worry about it.

 

[Double J]

I'd say "own goal" but that's nothing more than a guess.

 

[markvid]

FIFA's web site says own goal.

And ESPN.com has own goal and own-goal - on the same page.

 

[Piotr Rasputin]

"Thanks for the own-goal . . . . . "

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/flashback/4escobar.html

I've seen it both ways, and I usually go with own-goal. But if FIFA's Web site says it should be own goal, then obviously I was wrong.

 

[Riddick]

yeah, trust the soccer nuts. they should know. not they any of us will give a shirt in two weeks, or two hours for that matter

 

[espnguy]

It's definitely "own goal."

Or, you can always change it to make it more politically correct: "he inadvertently knocked the ball into his own net, scoring a point for the opposing team."

Sure, it's long, but there's no misunderstanding.

 

[Ace]

It's "own goal" unless used as a modifier, such as:

Juan Carlos, whose own-goal blunder cost Brazil the World Cup title, was gunned down last night before a cheering crowd.